On Tuesday, September 16, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) of Morocco and Rwanda’s General Commissariat of Correctional Services signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Rabat.
The agreement, signed by Morocco’s General Delegate Mohamed Salah Tamek and Rwanda’s Commissioner General Evariste Murenzi, aims to enhance collaboration on prison governance, particularly in facilities housing high-risk inmates. It also establishes a framework for sharing best practices and expertise in prisoner rehabilitation and post-incarceration reintegration.
Tamek described the MoU as a key step in bilateral cooperation, emphasising that it will facilitate experience exchanges, capacity building, and technical collaboration to modernise prison systems in both countries. He highlighted training programs for staff, improvements in prison security, and enhanced management of dangerous inmates as core areas of focus.
Murenzi welcomed the initiative as part of the broader strategic partnership between Rwanda and Morocco, established in 2016. He noted that the signing reflects Rwanda’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and promoting institutional capacity building in correctional services.
Both officials underlined that the MoU will serve as a platform for future collaboration, with the potential to expand into other areas of shared interest.
With only four days remaining before the historic event begins, Rwanda is set to make history as the first African country to host the World Championships, now in its 98th edition.
The competition will run from 21 to 28 September 2025, bringing together the world’s top cyclists in elite men’s and women’s categories, under-23, and junior categories.
Speaking to Radio/TV10, ACP Rutikanga explained that security and logistical measures have been well prepared. “Preparations are advanced. For instance, places like Kigali Heights have already been booked by international visitors who will watch the races from there,” he said.
“To ensure the safety of all participants and spectators along the routes, the Rwanda National Police has conducted adequate drills. Road safety equipment is in place to prevent accidents, and escort arrangements for cyclists will be managed at international standards,” he added.
ACP Rutikanga also clarified that traffic will remain largely unaffected, except for temporary adjustments such as the relocation of Nyanza Bus Station in Kicukiro to Canal Olympia for three days, while other transport routes will operate as usual.
On education concerns, Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana, Director General of Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), assured parents that students in boarding schools will remain on campus during the event. “Boarding students will stay at their schools, while day students will receive assignments and guided work during the competition days,” he said.
Minister Mukazayire highlighted the scale of participation. “A total of 107 countries have sent 915 athletes. This shows the level at which future competitions like the Tour du Rwanda will be elevated,” she said.
She also revealed one of the unique innovations planned: “For the first time, time-trial competitions, both for teams and individual riders, will start indoors at BK Arena. The way the venue has been set up is one of the exciting new features awaiting participants.”
To accommodate international guests, Kigali International Airport has established special reception arrangements to ensure smooth transfers to hotels.
Beyond BK Arena, several fan zones have been set up for the public to follow the races and enjoy side events, including the Kigali Convention Centre, Kwa Mutwe (Mur de Kigali), Rwandex (Mundi Center), Kwa Mignone Stone Wall, Norvege, and other locations along the routes.
On Thursday, 18 September, organizers will conduct a rehearsal at the race’s finishing site near the junction by Kigali Convention Centre and Kigali Heights to finalize all technical aspects.
At the beginning of 2025, the Belgian government spearheaded a campaign urging European Union member states and other wealthy nations to impose sanctions on Rwanda, accusing Kigali of supporting M23.
Prévot, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, argued at the time that sanctions would pressure Rwanda to “withdraw its troops” from eastern Congo. In his view, such punitive measures, which also extended to some leaders of the AFC/M23, could end the decades-long conflict in the DRC once and for all.
This stance led Rwanda in March 2025 to sever ties with Belgium, accusing the former colonial power of pitiful attempts to sustain its neocolonial delusions.
However, in a recent interview with Jeune Afrique, Minister Prévot acknowledged that dialogue is the only path to resolving the conflict. This position echoes Rwanda’s consistent call for the Congolese government to engage in direct talks with M23 instead of shifting the blame.
Asked why his government no longer views sanctions as a viable solution, Prévot explained that although they may exert pressure on targeted individuals or entities, sanctions are not a “miracle cure” for ending conflicts like the one in eastern Congo.
“What seems important to us is to be able to respond to the humanitarian emergency, knowing that the diplomatic resolution of the conflict is now in the hands of Qatar and the
United States,” he stated.
The Belgian minister added that his country would not interfere with the peace initiative led by the United States and Qatar. He warned, however, that if fighting resumes in the DRC and more cities fall, Belgium could renew its call for punitive measures.
“These are processes that we must support, not interfere with. Only if they were to fail or if military logic took over again, with, for example, new captures of cities, could the question of sanctions arise again,” he added.
“My dream was just to be known,” he confessed during a recent interview on the Long Form podcast, revealing a passion for recognition over riches that propelled him from Lagos streets to European stadiums.
In a candid conversation on the sidelines of the SportsBiz Africa Forum recently held in Kigali, where he featured as a keynote speaker and panellist, the African football legend shared insights on his improbable rise, the weight of fame, the financial savvy that secured his future, and his concerns about the fading flair of African football.
{{From Nigerian streets to European pitches
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Okocha’s path to football immortality was far from scripted. In 1990, at just 17, he arrived in Germany on a visiting visa, not as a scouted prodigy but as an opportunist seizing his brother’s trial opportunity at a third-division club.
This marked the start of a career that would dazzle at Eintracht Frankfurt, PSG, and Bolton Wanderers.
Facing language barriers, cultural shock, and even racism, Okocha leaned on his dream to “eradicate poverty in my family, my community.”
“My challenges were off the pitch,” he admitted, but his distinctive style, African flair fused with a relentless work ethic, won over sceptics in Germany’s disciplined football landscape.
“I needed an identity,” he said, determined to represent Africa uniquely.
{{Navigating fame and financial responsibility
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Okocha’s flair found a home in the English Premier League with Bolton Wanderers, where he became a cult hero. Despite offers from top-four clubs, he stayed, drawn by the fans’ passion and the challenge of elevating a smaller team.
“I felt wanted,” he said, recalling how his presence helped Bolton reach mid-table and compete in Europe. “One fan approached me and said, ‘Thank you. You’ve put Bolton on a European map that I never thought would happen.’”
Financially, Okocha was wise beyond his years. His first contract, a modest 5,000 Deutschmarks in 1991, was saved, not squandered.
“You can’t wash away poverty with champagne,” he remarked, rejecting the urge to splurge.
With no pension for athletes, in what he described as “you are basically your own government,” he invested solely in property to ensure stability after retirement.
“My contract money is for investment,” he explained. “Match bonuses, endorsements—that’s enough for nice cars, watches, travel with the wife.”
Okocha also tackled the “black tax,” the cultural expectation to support extended family. He made dependents part of his budget but set firm boundaries.
“You make it clear they have a limited time,” he said. “You’re trying to set them up, and they have to make it count.”
By buying houses and paying school fees, he secured their futures while safeguarding his own.
“I can’t suffer because you decide not to be responsible,” he stressed.
{{Highs and lows of a storied career
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Okocha’s career peaked with Nigeria’s gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, a historic first for an African football team. The triumph came despite chaotic preparations, with unpaid buses and repetitive meals of rice and chicken sauce.
“We had to pay for accommodation,” he recalled, highlighting the team’s grit. Conversely, relegation with Frankfurt in 1996 and Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup were his lowest moments.
“I felt bad,” he said of Frankfurt, blaming a manager who “destroyed the team.” The World Cup miss in Germany, where he had first made his name, stung deeply.
{{Future of African football
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Okocha voiced concern over African football’s fading flair, as players increasingly mimic European styles.
“We are losing our identity,” he warned. “We are trying to play like Europeans, and we can’t beat them at their game.”
He attributed this to structured coaching that stifles the street-bred creativity of his era, when he and peers like Rashidi Yekini played for love, not just results.
“We were free,” he said, lamenting the shift toward predictable, pass-heavy play.
To revitalise African sports, Okocha called for better governance, with former athletes in leadership roles.
“No one will understand how an athlete feels except if you’ve been an athlete,” he argued, criticising the appointment of unqualified figures as “political settlements.”
He also urged for investment-friendly structures, noting that unappealing leagues deter funding.
“If the league is not interesting, you can’t get value for your money,” he said.
During the interview, Okocha also hailed Rwanda’s progress as a model for Africa, praising its leadership and ambition.
“Rwanda can be used as an example of what one can achieve if you have a good leader and citizens willing to follow,” he said, urging Nigeria to adopt its focus on implementation.
For young Rwandans and aspiring athletes, Okocha’s advice was clear: “Dreams do come true. There’s no limit to what you can achieve if you believe, but it will never be rosy.”
He emphasised discipline and resilience, urging them to embrace challenges and take risks. “Don’t be scared of trying,” he said, “because a foolish doer will always do a great thinker.”
The 98th edition of the World Championships will take place in Kigali from September 21 to 28, 2025, bringing together cyclists from more than 100 countries.
A total of 23 riders will represent Rwanda. They are currently finalizing their preparations in Bugesera District, with just five days left before the competition begins.
Coach Sempoma noted that the team’s preparations have been strong, having trained in Musanze, France, and Bugesera to meet different performance goals.
He expressed confidence, even though previous appearances at the championships ended without a Rwandan completing the elite men’s race.
“In past World Championships, we would often have only two or three riders, and we would prepare abroad. We always had hope that we could finish, but it never happened,” he said.
On the long-standing challenge that no Rwandan has ever completed the elite men’s race, Sempoma said that 2025 could be a turning point: “This is a historic year, and it is possible to see Rwandan riders perform well in different categories.”
“What I can assure Rwandans is that our riders have trained well. Their morale is high, they have the ability, and the Ministry has supported us with everything we need, including modern equipment. We will do everything possible to make sure this year becomes historic,” he added.
“History is already being made with the World Championships coming to Rwanda, and for the first time to Africa. But another chapter could be written if a Rwandan rider performs strongly in the various races.”
First Vice President of the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), Valentin Bigango, confirmed that preparations are nearly complete and that the national team has received all the necessary support.
“Preparations are advancing well. Together with our partners, we are putting final touches on different aspects of the World Championships. We are at about 96 percent readiness.
“The training program we had designed for the national team has been completed successfully, and at this stage the riders are focused on the competition itself, exactly where we want them to be,” he said.
{{Riders confident ahead of the World Championships}}
Patrick Byukusenge, one of Rwanda’s most experienced cyclists who has competed in numerous major international races, expressed confidence that the team is well prepared, to the point that they could even compete again the following day if necessary.
On the long-standing challenge that no Rwandan has ever completed the elite men’s race, Byukusenge said that racing in Kigali could bring a breakthrough: “This will make a difference, because the World Championships are being held in Africa for the first time. I feel this will change something for us as Rwandans. This circuit is not new to us; while we haven’t raced it many times, we have competed on it often enough. Our goal is to fight hard, and I know that millions of Rwandans will have their eyes on us.”
He further stressed that the 267.5-kilometre distance of the final race will not be a problem as the team is already accustomed to covering up to 300 kilometres in training sessions.
Xaverine Nirere, who has performed strongly in many races this year and will be one of four elite women representing Rwanda, is preparing for her third appearance at the World Championships.
She explained: “This Championship is different from the ones I took part in during 2023 and 2024, because this time we will start with a circuit and finish with a circuit. Being here at home, training daily on these roads, I believe we will perform well and could even win.”
Meanwhile, Pacifique Byusa, competing in the under-19 category, will be making his debut at an international race.
“This is my first major race at the international level. I will be competing against riders who are on a higher level than me. But I am well prepared, I followed my coaches’ program carefully, and I believe I will perform well,” he said.
His teammate, Liliane Uwiringiyimana, also set to compete in the women’s under-19 category, added: “We will give everything we have and do our best to ensure we finish the World Championships.”
Ali made the remarks during an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), where he emphasized the need to build on the good relations between the two countries.
He explained that Rwanda and Djibouti share many commonalities, including cultural ties, which should serve as a foundation for expanding private-sector cooperation.
“We already cooperate, but we should enhance and expand our collaboration just as our governments are doing. Why shouldn’t we broaden our cooperation and develop it further?” he said.
His comments follow the 2016 partnership agreement signed between Rwanda and Djibouti’s private sectors, which aimed to foster joint initiatives and drive economic growth.
The strong bilateral relationship between the two nations has also been demonstrated through land exchanges. Rwanda has been granted 60 hectares of land at Djibouti’s ports, while Rwanda, in return, allocated 10 hectares within its industrial park to Djibouti.
The call was made during the Africa Customer Experience Leaders Forum 2025, a continental meeting hosted in Rwanda that brought together representatives of institutions dedicated to promoting excellence in customer service across Africa.
The two-day forum, organized by CX Touchpoints Rwanda Ltd, convened more than 100 participants from 21 African countries.
Discussions highlighted that delivering quality services is central to achieving sustainable growth, with Rwanda presented as a leading example in innovation, effective policy implementation, and consistent improvement in both business and government services.
Jeannette Nyinawumuntu, Country Managing Director of CX Touchpoints Rwanda, emphasized that Africa must invest more in strengthening service delivery as part of its sustainable development journey.
On the first day, the forum focused on solutions tailored to Africa’s market realities, proposing new approaches to designing customer experience strategies suited for the continent.
Another key topic was the development of robust Voice of the Customer (VoC) frameworks to ensure that customer feedback directly informs corporate decisions, allowing institutions to respond effectively to the needs and expectations of their clients.
Participants also underscored the role of governments in creating enabling environments for high-quality services, citing Rwanda as a case study of how governance policies can enhance citizens’ experience with public service delivery.
The forum included sessions on consumer behavior research in Africa, offering practical recommendations for strengthening customer loyalty and trust in both businesses and organizations.
Executive Director of The Global Trust Project, Dominic Wilhelm urged African institutions to leverage artificial intelligence, noting that the technology can position organizations at the forefront of customer service excellence.
Meanwhile, Joan Ntabadde Kyeyune, a customer experience enthusiast, called on leaders of customer-focused agencies across the continent to drive cultural change in how clients are welcomed, as a means of boosting loyalty and confidence.
On her part, Dr. Lucy Kiruthu explained how aligning budgets with projects that directly improve customer experience could yield long-term benefits for both citizens and businesses.
At the conclusion of the forum, delegates visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, where they paid respects to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and were briefed on Rwanda’s history, how the killings were stopped, and the country’s resilience journey.
The low level of ozone depletion observed in 2024 was partly due to naturally occurring atmospheric factors which drive year-to-year fluctuations. However, the long-term positive trend reflects the success of concerted international action, reported the Ozone Bulletin of the World Meteorological Organization.
The report, offering encouraging scientific news for both human and planetary health, was issued to mark World Ozone Day on Tuesday and the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention, which recognized stratospheric ozone depletion as a global problem and provided the framework for mobilizing international cooperation in ozone research, systematic observations and scientific assessments.
“Forty years ago, nations came together to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer — guided by science, united in action,” said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol became a landmark of multilateral success. Today, the ozone layer is healing. This achievement reminds us that when nations heed the warnings of science, progress is possible,” he said.
According to the report’s investigation, to date, the Montreal Protocol has led to the phase-out of over 99 percent of the production and consumption of controlled ozone-depleting substances, which were used in refrigeration, air conditioning, firefighting foam and even hairspray.
As a result, the ozone layer is now on track to recover to 1980s levels by the middle of this century, significantly reducing risks of skin cancer, cataracts, and ecosystem damage due to excessive UV exposure.
Senior ABC journalist John Lyons had asked Trump how much wealthier he had become since returning to the White House in January.
“I don’t know,” Trump replied, insisting that his children were in charge of the family businesses. He then accused the reporter of undermining relations between the two nations: “In my opinion, you are hurting Australia very much right now, and they want to get along with me.”
Trump added that he would raise the matter with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying, “I’m going to tell him about you. You set a very bad tone.”
When Lyons attempted to continue his questioning, Trump pressed his index finger to his lips and said “quiet” before turning to another journalist.
The exchange comes as Albanese continues to seek face-to-face talks with Trump. A planned meeting in June was cancelled at the last minute after Trump left the G20 summit early to address developments in the Middle East.
Albanese confirmed in an interview with ABC Radio that he would meet Trump next week while in the US for the UN General Assembly.
“He’s hosting a reception on Tuesday night of next week. And as well, we’ll see each other at various forums that are taking place between now and the end of the year,” the prime minister said.
In a joint statement released by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the ministers said the flotilla, a civil society initiative, aims to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Consisting of dozens of boats and hundreds of activists, the GSF is supported by delegations from 44 countries, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid.
The flotilla departed from Barcelona, Spain, on Sept. 1 and is expected to arrive in Gaza in mid-September.
Issued collectively by the foreign affairs ministers of Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa and Türkiye, the statement also highlighted the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people as well as the need to stop the war in Gaza.
“Both objectives, peace and humanitarian aid delivery, together with the respect of international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by our governments,” it said.
The statement called on all parties to respect international law and refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the flotilla, warning that violations, including attacks in international waters or illegal detention, would lead to accountability.
